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Man goes to federal prison for identity theft

A 71-year-old Kenai man was sentenced to four years in federal prison Friday after using dead men's identities to fraudulently obtain permanent fund dividends and other documents.

Richard Leo Hadsell, known as "Hippie Jerry" in Kenai, got away with more than $30,000 in PFD checks between 1985 and 2009, according to the U.S. Attorney.

Hadsell used the names "Stanley Miller," "Eugene Easley," and "Richard Sunkle," according to the prosecution. The real Miller, Easley and Sunkle are dead, according to the U.S. attorney. Using Miller's identity, Hadsell managed to get four U.S. passports.

Hadsell used Easley's identity to collect the PFD checks after getting hold of the dead man's social security number, according to the prosecution.

Hadsell also opened a credit union account in Miller's name.

Hadsell was convicted of passport fraud, identity theft and using a false social security number and identity to get checks.

The Kenai man has a criminal record dating back to the mid-1950s. While living in Alaska, he was wanted in Oregon and California.

Police arrested Hadsell in Kenai on Nov. 18, 2009, and he pleaded guilty to the federal charges on Jan. 15, 2010.

In addition to his prison sentence, Hadsell was ordered to return the $30,000 to the Alaska Department of Revenue.